Aurora Exploration, Iceland

Transfer by airport bus from Keflavik airport to your hotel in Reykjavík. The remainder of day at your leisure to explore Iceland’s vibrant capital city on your own, or join an optional Reykjavík Day Tour. Overnight in Reykjavík

Meet your tour guide and start your day with a Reykjavík city tour where you’ll see some highlights of Iceland’s capital before heading out of the city. You are headed west to the Borgarfjörður (Borgafjordur) valley, known as the Saga valley since it was the home of Iceland’s saga author Snorri Sturluson. You will have the opportunity to climb the Grábrók volcano crater and get warmed at Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring. Visits to the nearby Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls will follow. The afternoon you will check in at your hotel for the next two nights. Enjoy a lecture about the Northern Lights before heading out this evening on your first Northern Lights hunt in the area of your hotel. Every evening after your search for the lights you will have the chance to relax with a warm refreshment before bed. Overnight in West Iceland

Today’s touring takes you to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, an area of Iceland most known for its many varied landscapes and gorgeous views. Enjoy a fjord cruise and lunch from Stykkishólmur village in the north of Snæfellsnes, followed by a stop in Bjarnarhöfn. There you will have the opportunity to try the Icelandic delicacy Hákarl – fermented shark. Continue on your tour of Snæfellsnes with a visit to the quaint fishing village of Grundarfjörður and amazing views of Mt. Kirkjufell. As you return to your hotel your guide will be sharing tips on photographing the Northern Lights, since you will be heading outside again this evening to search for them. Overnight in West Iceland

Depart West Iceland today, stopping at an Icelandic Wool outlet store for the chance to purchase your own Icelandic sweater, or other wool clothing and decorations as a souvenir. From there you will be heading to explore South Iceland’s most famous sites as you travel along the tourist route, the Golden Circle. Your first stop is Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the rift between the continents. At the next stop, Geysir and Strokkur geyser and geothermal fields, you will be able to see Strokkur erupt, but also enjoy local bread baked in the ground by the naturally occurring geothermal heat, along with local butter, and a glass of Schnapps. From Geysir the next stop is Gullfoss “Golden” Waterfall, followed by a stop at a horse ranch to say hello to some of Iceland’s unique horse breed. After checking into your hotel you will again spend some time outside enjoying the arctic night while, hopefully, the Northern Lights dazzle above. Overnight in South Iceland

Touring today will give you a better look at the volcanic history of Iceland. First you will visit the Lava Center, an exhibition dedicated to educating visitors about the unique and “explosive” history of Iceland. After a stop at the two waterfalls Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, you will drive past the famous Eyjafjallajökull Glacier cap, covering the volcano whose eruption infamously shut down air traffic in 2010. Continuing along the south coast you will stop and see the black sand beaches of Reynisfjara and the basalt columns Reynisdrangar. You are heading tonight to east Iceland where you will spend two nights in the shadow of Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull. This evening you will again head outside to search for the Northern Lights followed by a warm beverage. Overnight in Vatnajökull area

After breakfast, explore the otherworldly area of Vatnajökull National Park, the largest National Park in Europe. You will visit the stunning Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and its icebergs floating in blue water. The black sand beach lining the lagoon glitters with ice and is a great place to enjoy a walk. In the afternoon you will visit the Hofskirkja, a picturesque 19th century turf church. If traveling between November 15 – March 15 join an optional ice cave tour in one of the naturally occurring ice caves created by the glacier. Tonight is another opportunity to head outside searching for the Northern Lights. Overnight in Vatnajökull area

From Kirkjubæjarklaustur we head across the Eldhraun lava field to the village of Vík, where we make a photo stop. The black lava beach with high bird cliffs and pounding waves is awe-inspiring. Further west we reach the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall which plunges from the mountain. In the afternoon we get to relax and soak in the naturally heated waters at the famous Blue Lagoon in Grindavik. Return to Reykjavík in the early evening. Overnight in Reykjavík

Transfer by airport bus to the airport for your return flights to the US or extend your stay in Scandinavia!